Telford man jailed and banned from shops after assaulting workers
Jonathan Beatty-Thomas was sentenced to six months in custody following thefts and assaults
A Telford man has been sentenced to six months in custody and given a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after admitting to theft and assault charges.
Jonathan Beatty-Thomas, 36, of Willowfield, appeared at Telford Magistrates Court on 14th November, where he pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, two counts of assault, and a public order offence.
One of the incidents took place on 9th November at Greggs on New Street in Wellington. Beatty-Thomas took several items from the shelves without paying. When confronted by a member of staff, he assaulted them by kicking them before fleeing with £35 worth of food.
Another theft occurred at Boots in Telford Shopping Centre on 12th November. Beatty-Thomas stole two gift sets worth £106 and was soon arrested by police, who linked him to both incidents after he was taken into custody.
While in custody, it was discovered that Beatty-Thomas had also been involved in a theft on 8th November at Tesco Express on Haygate Road, Wellington. In that incident, a member of staff was assaulted while sandwiches and smoothies were stolen.
On 14th November, Beatty-Thomas was handed a six-month sentence and issued a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering Telford Shopping Centre (excluding the bus station), Greggs on New Street in Wellington, and Tesco Express on Haygate Road in Wellington until November 2028.
According to Sergeant Rich Jones from Telford's town centre team, the sentencing and CBO are a significant step to address Beatty-Thomas’s persistent behaviour.
"We are pleased the court has given Beatty-Thomas a custodial sentence, whose actions have had a terrifying impact on shops and businesses across Telford,” Jones said.
"Not only did he assault a member of staff in Greggs and Tesco Express, but his actions have caused alarm and distress to members of the public.
"I am also glad he has been handed a CBO, which means he cannot enter certain shops within Telford, and if he does breach the order it could mean he faces a further custodial sentence."
If anyone sees Beatty-Thomas breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order or committing an offence, they are urged to report it to the police immediately via West Mercia Police’s online crime reporting service or call 999 in an emergency.